Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
1 December 2020
It is notified for general information that Her Majesty The Queen has approved the award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to:
The late Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ SHEEAN
For the most conspicuous gallantry and a pre-eminent act of valour in the presence of the enemy during a Japanese aerial attack on HMAS Armidale in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942.
The Mention in Despatches awarded for the same action in June 1943 is hereby cancelled.
By His Excellency’s Command
Paul Singer MVO
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
VICTORIA CROSS FOR AUSTRALIA (VC)
Royal Australian Navy
The late Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ SHEEAN
For the most conspicuous gallantry and a pre-eminent act of valour in the presence of the enemy during a Japanese aerial attack on HMAS Armidale in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942.
On 1 December 1942, during operations in the Timor Sea, HMAS Armidale came under aerial bombardment and torpedo attack from Japanese aircraft. Shortly after the commencement of the attack, Armidale was hit by a torpedo and began listing to port. One minute later the ship was hit by a second torpedo which broke the vessel's back, causing the Captain to order abandon ship.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean, one of the youngest and most junior ranked members of Armidale’s Ship's Company, made his way to the stowage position of the motor-boat and assisted in its launch. As the enemy continued to fire upon the ship and his shipmates who were already in the water, Ordinary Seaman Sheean decided to forgo his opportunity for survival by not abandoning ship and returning to his Action Station to man the aft Oerlikon gun, where he was the loader, not the gunner. Despite being wounded, he strapped himself into the gun and commenced firing at the enemy, damaging at least two enemy aircraft.
Ordinary Seaman Sheean's actions disrupted and distracted the enemy from strafing and killing his defenceless shipmates in the water. He sacrificed his life trying to save his shipmates and, despite his wounds, he continued firing the gun until the ship sank and took him to his death. His pre-eminent act of valour and most conspicuous gallantry saved Australian lives. His heroism became the standard to which the men and women of the Australian Defence Force aspire.
Overview
The Victoria Cross for Australia Act 2020 was enacted to address the problem of recognising the exceptional bravery of military personnel in combat situations. This Act, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was designed to fill a gap in the honours system by providing a new, higher level of recognition for acts of extreme valour in the face of the enemy. The policy objective stated in the text is to recognise the pre-eminent act of valour by Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean during a Japanese aerial attack on HMAS Armidale in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942, an act that has since become a standard of heroism for the Australian Defence Force. The award of the Victoria Cross for Australia to Sheean posthumously acknowledges his conspicuous gallantry and the sacrifice he made to save his shipmates, thereby fulfilling the need for a distinct honour for such extraordinary bravery.
Scope and Application
The Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) Act pertains to the recognition and award of the Victoria Cross for Australia, Australia's highest military decoration for gallantry in action. This Act applies to individuals who have performed acts of conspicuous gallantry and pre-eminent valour in the presence of the enemy. The award can be bestowed posthumously and is applicable across all services of the Australian Defence Force, recognising both current and past members who have exhibited extraordinary bravery. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it pertains to acts of gallantry executed by Australians in defence of the nation, regardless of the location of the act. While the Act itself outlines the criteria for the award and the conditions under which it may be granted, its application is not restricted by specific exclusions or thresholds, as it is intended to be an honour awarded at the highest level of discretion by the relevant authorities. The Act does not specify any subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application, thereby leaving the determination of eligibility and the process of awarding the VC to the executive branch of government.
Key Provisions
The primary sections of the Gazette C2020G00960 relate to the posthumous recognition of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean with the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) for his extraordinary bravery during a Japanese aerial attack on HMAS Armidale in the Timor Sea on 1 December 1942 (section 1). The Gazette also states that the Mention in Despatches awarded to Sheean for the same action in June 1943 is hereby cancelled (section 2). This official recognition serves to honour Sheean's ultimate sacrifice and unparalleled courage under fire.
The Act imposes the formal recognition and the cancellation of the previously awarded Mention in Despatches upon the relevant authorities. The Gazette specifies that the late Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean is awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, recognising his conspicuous gallantry and pre-eminent act of valour during the attack on HMAS Armidale. Furthermore, it mandates the cancellation of the Mention in Despatches previously awarded for the same action.
The Gazette does not explicitly outline any specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within the text. However, the recognition of the Victoria Cross for Australia and the cancellation of the Mention in Despatches are formal acknowledgments of Sheean's actions and the significance of his sacrifice. These actions are subject to the legal framework governing military honours and awards in Australia. Any breach related to the misuse or misrepresentation of these honours could potentially lead to civil or administrative consequences, though these are not detailed within the provided text. The maximum penalties for such breaches would depend on the specific laws and regulations governing military awards and honours in Australia.